System and method for enabling betting during race and storage medium storing computer program for executing the method

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein are a system and a method of enabling betting during a race and a storage medium storing a program for executing the method. The method includes the steps of (a) before the start of a race, allowing bets to be made based on indicated odds; and (b) after the start of the race, varying the odds depending on racing results for one or more predetermined sections and then allowing bets to be made based on the varied odds.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to racing games, and, moreparticularly, to a system and method for enabling betting during a race,such as a horse race, a dog race or a boat race, and a storage mediumstoring a program for executing the method.

2. Description of the Related Art

Horse racing is a leisure sport in which spectators place bets on andenjoy a race in which two or more horses run under predeterminedconditions, such as a racing distance, a racing direction, prize money,jockey and impost, and compete to win.

That is, horse racing is a game in which people enjoy viewing a sport,and predict the results of a race, place bets on the race and receivepredetermined payouts based on the actual results of the race.

Video game based horse racing is similar to actual horse racing from thepoint of view of the racing method.

In general, 6˜12 horses participate in a race. Each gamer selects aspecific horse from among the participating horses and then places a beton the selected horse. If the race is terminated and the horse on whichthe gamer placed a bet wins, the payout promised at the time of bettingcan be received; and if the horse does not win, the payout cannot bereceived.

Methods of placing bets on race horses include win betting (to pick thefirst finisher), quinella betting (to pick the first two finishers in arace regardless of the order of finishing), show betting and exactabetting. In video game races, win betting and quinella betting arechiefly made.

Each gamer plays a game while viewing a Television (TV) client (alarge-sized screen) for displaying the status of a race and a racingclient for managing the betting status of the gamer at the same time.

These TV and racing clients are widely used because multiple racingclients connected to the same racing server make predictions and bet onthe same race, so that trustworthiness on the results of the race can beincreased by reducing suspicion of fabrication, and so that moresplendid graphic representation can be made.

A race is performed in such a way that running horses are generallyintroduced on a screen, the horses participating in a race are alignedat the start line, and gamers view a betting screen and place bets untilthe race starts.

This method of calculating odds based on predicted winning percentagesbefore the start of a race is disclosed in Korean Unexamined PatentPublication No. 2002-88709. Korean Unexamined Patent Publication No.2002-88709 discloses a race winning percentage prediction methodincluding the steps of collecting source data, downloading a currentrace schedule from a database (DB) and providing the schedule to eachuser, allowing a specific race to be selected from the displayed currentrace schedule, allowing a specific jockey and a specific horse to beselected within the selected specific race, displaying information aboutthe selected jockey and horse, combining the source data with currentrace data, assigning weights to pieces of combined data, and calculatingexpected profits (odds and predicted winning percentages) based onrespective pieces of combined data assigned the weights.

That is, the invention disclosed in Korean Unexamined Patent PublicationNo. 2002-88709 relates to a method of constructing combined data bycombining previous race scores with current race data, assigning weightssubjectively selected by a user to the combined data and predicting racewinning percentages, thereby determining the odds.

However, in most of these prediction methods, before the start of arace, analysis is completed, odds are determined based on the analysis,and betting is completed.

However, although garners want to place bets after the start of a racewhile the race is being watched, as well as before the start of a race,there is a problem in that it is impossible to place bets after thestart of a race.

Furthermore, although the profits of bookmakers can be increased if alarger number of bets are placed, there is a problem in that the profitsthereof cannot be increased because betting should be completed beforethe start of a race.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind theabove problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the presentinvention is to provide a system and method for enabling betting duringa race which allow bets to be placed after the start of a race while therace is viewed, and a storage medium storing computer program sourcesfor executing the method.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system andmethod for enabling betting during a race which can indicate odds andconversion ratios based on the capabilities of respective entitiesbefore the start of a race and which allow bets to be placed based onracing results for one or more sections or periods after the start ofthe race.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a system andmethod for enabling betting during a race which can vary and indicatethe conversion ratios while maintaining the odds after the start of arace, thereby enabling a gamer to easily comprehend the odds.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a system andmethod for enabling betting during a race which can expand and display arace course for a predetermined distance or period before and after thestart of a race.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a system andmethod for enabling betting during a race which can provide a jackpotgame to a gamer who bets a predetermined or larger amount of money as abonus game at the same time that additional betting is terminated.

In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention providesa method of enabling betting during a race, including the steps of (a)before start of a race, allowing bets to be made based on indicatedodds; and (b) after start of the race, varying the odds depending onracing results for one or more predetermined sections and then allowingbets to be made based on the varied odds, or a method of enablingbetting during a race, including the steps of (a) before start of arace, allowing bets to be made based on set odds; and (b) after start ofthe race, varying a conversion ratio depending on racing results for oneor more predetermined sections while keeping the set odds of step (a)constant and then allowing bets to be made based on the variedconversion ratio.

Preferably, before start of the race, the conversion ratio is set to“1”.

Preferably, the conversion ratio is calculated using the followingequation:

Conversion ratio during race B_(in)=odds before start of race Y_(i)/oddsduring race Y_(in)

where B_(in) is a conversation ratio for an i-th entity and an n-thsection, Y_(i) is odds before start of the race for the i-th entity, andY_(in) is odds for the i-th entity and the n-th section.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda method of enabling betting during a race, including the steps of (a)before start of a race, allowing bets to be made based on set odds; and(b) after start of the race, varying the odds depending on winningpossibility for a remaining distance and then allowing bets to be madebased on the varied odds, or a method of enabling betting during a race,including the steps of (a) before start of a race, allowing bets to bemade based on set odds; and (b) after start of the race, varying aconversion ratio depending on winning possibility for a remainingdistance while keeping the set odds of step (a) constant and thenallowing bets to be made based on the varied conversion ratio.

Preferably, before the start of the race, the conversion ratio is set to“1.”

Preferably, the step (b) includes the steps of (b-1) calculating arunning record R_(i) for each entity and each section; (b-2) calculatingan average section record R_(mn) for each entity and each section; (b-3)calculating predicted records for each entity and a remaining distanceand a sum of the predicted records using the average section recordR_(mn) and the running record for each section R_(i) and calculating asection evaluation factor R′_(in) using them; (b-4) calculating aremaining section relative winning percentage for each entity X′_(in)using the section evaluation factor for each entity R′_(in); and (b-5)calculating a remaining section odds for each entity Y′_(in) using theremaining section relative winning percentage X′_(in).

Preferably, the step (b) includes the steps of (b-1) calculating arunning record R_(i) for each entity and each section; (b-2) calculatingan average section record R_(mn) for each entity and each section; (b-3)calculating predicted records for each entity and a remaining distanceand a sum of the predicted records using the average section recordR_(mn) and the running record for each section R_(i) and calculating asection evaluation factor R′_(in) using them; (b-4) calculating aremaining section relative winning percentage for each entity X′_(in)using the section evaluation factor for each entity R′_(in); (b-5)calculating a remaining section odds for each entity Y′_(in) using theremaining section relative winning percentage X′_(in); and (b-6)calculating a remaining section conversion ratio using the odds Y′_(in).

Preferably, the remaining section conversion ratio is calculated usingthe following equation:

Remaining section conversion ratio during race B′ _(in)=odds beforestart of race Y _(i)/remaining section odds during race Y′ _(in)

where B′_(in) is a remaining section conversation ratio for an i-thentity and an n-th section, Y_(i) is odds before start of the race forthe i-th entity, and Y′_(in) is remaining section odds for the i-thentity and the n-th section.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a system for enabling betting during a race, including a firstwinning percentage calculation unit for, before start of a race,calculating a relative winning percentage X_(i) and odds Y_(i) for eachentity using an evaluation score for each entity participating in therace and a sum of evaluation scores for respective entities andoutputting them; a second winning percentage calculation unit forcalculating a section evaluation factor for each section R_(in) using arunning record for each entity and each section R_(i) and an averagesection record for each section R_(mn), and calculating and outputting asection relative winning percentage for each entity X_(in) and odds foreach entity Y_(in); a display device comprising information aboutrespective entities, a betting screen before start of the race, abetting screen for each section after start of the race, and aracecourse display part for status of the race; and a control unit forperforming control so that before start of the race, the odds outputfrom the first winning percentage calculation unit are displayed on thedisplay device and, after start of the race, the odds output from thesecond winning percentage calculation unit are displayed on the bettingscreen for each section of the display device.

Preferably, the control unit performs control so that a conversion ratiois indicated as “1” on the betting screen before start of the race andthe odds are indicated and the conversion ratio is varied and thenindicated on the betting screen for each section after start of therace.

Preferably, the conversion ratio is calculated using the followingequation:

Conversion ratio during race B _(in)=odds before start of race Y_(i)/odds during race Y _(in)

where B_(in) is a conversation ratio for an i-th entity and an n-thsection, Y_(i) is odds before start of the race for the i-th entity, andY_(in) is odds for the i-th entity and the n-th section.

Preferably, the racecourse display part of the display device isconfigured to display, before start of the race, an entire distance ofthe race and status of preparation of respective entities at a startline, after start of the race and before termination of additionalbetting, an enlarged section for each predetermined distance anddetailed status of the race, and, after termination of additionalbetting, an entire run distance.

Preferably, the display device comprises a racecourse display partprovided in an upper portion of the display unit, configured in alateral bar form, and configured to display the status of the race, awin betting display part and a quinella betting display part provided onone side of a portion below the upper portion, provided for respectiveentities participating in the race, and displayed in a verticaldirection, and a jackpot display part provided on a remaining side ofthe portion below the upper portion.

Preferably, the jackpot display part is configured such that when a betof a predetermined or larger amount is placed, additional betting isterminated, a bonus game is indicated, and then a payout correspondingto corresponding odds is paid when the betting was successful.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a system for enabling betting during a race, including a firstwinning percentage calculation unit for, before start of a race,calculating a relative winning percentage X_(i) and odds Y_(i) for eachentity using an evaluation score for each entity participating in therace and a sum of evaluation scores for respective entities andoutputting them; a second winning percentage calculation unit forcalculating a remaining section evaluation factor for each sectionR_(in) using a running record for each entity and each section R_(i) andan average section record for each section R_(mn), and calculating andoutputting a remaining section relative winning percentage for eachentity X_(in) and remaining section odds for each entity Y_(in); adisplay device comprising information about respective entities, abetting screen before start of the race, a betting screen for eachsection after start of the race, and a racecourse display part forstatus of the race; and a control unit for performing control so thatbefore start of the race, the odds output from the first winningpercentage calculation unit are displayed on the display device and,after start of the race, the remaining section odds output from thesecond winning percentage calculation unit are displayed on the bettingscreen for each remaining section of the display device.

Preferably, the control unit performs control so that a conversion ratiois indicated as “1” on the betting screen before start of the race andthe odds are indicated and the conversion ratio is varied and thenindicated on the betting screen for each section after start of therace.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a storage medium storing computer program sources for executinga method of enabling betting during a race, wherein the method includingthe steps of (a) before start of a race, allowing bets to be made basedon set odds; and (b) after start of the race, varying a conversion ratiodepending on winning possibility for a remaining distance while keepingthe set odds of step (a) constant and then allowing bets to be madebased on the varied conversion ratio.

Preferably, the step (b) comprises the steps of (b-1) calculating arunning record R_(i) for each entity and each section; (b-2) calculatingan average section record R_(mn) for each entity and each section; (b-3)calculating predicted records for each entity and a remaining distanceand a sum of the predicted records using the average section recordR_(mn) and the running record for each section R_(i) and calculating asection evaluation factor R′_(in) using them; (b-4) calculating aremaining section relative winning percentage for each entity X′_(in)using the section evaluation factor for each entity R′_(in); (b-5)calculating a remaining section odds for each entity Y′_(in) using theremaining section relative winning percentage X′_(in); and (b-6)calculating a remaining section conversion ratio using the odds Y′_(in).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be more clearly understood from the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the construction of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the display of horse information on adirected screen before the start of a race;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a directed screen before the start of a raceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a directed screen immediately before thestart of a race according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a directed screen after the start of a raceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing the betting screen of the directedscreen;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view showing the racing status screen of thedirected screen;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view showing the jackpot screen of the directedscreen; and

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of enabling betting afterthe start of a race according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The terms and words used in the present specification and theaccompanying claims should not be limitedly interpreted as having commonmeanings or meanings appearing in dictionaries, but should beinterpreted as having meanings suitable for the technical spirit of thepresent invention on the basis of the principle that an inventor canappropriately define the concepts of terms in order to describe his orher invention in the most appropriate way.

In particular, the terms used in the present invention are defined asdescribed below.

The term “conversion ratio” refers to the lowest betting unit whichenables the receipt of a payout corresponding to predetermined odds, andis expressed in credits. Before the start of a race, a conversion ratiogenerally refers to the odds for one credit. Since the present inventionis configured to enable betting to be made after the start of a race,the concept of the term “conversion ratio” is introduced to calculatethe odds while the race is ongoing. That is, when the probability ofwinning is reduced during a race, odds are generally increased, so thathigh odds are generally provided. However, in another method, the sameeffect can be achieved by relatively reducing the lowest betting unitwhile keeping the odds constant, in which case the conversion ratiorefers to the variation of the effective credit on the basis of thewinning probability. In particular, in the case where before the startof a race, odds for one credit are 40 (before the start of a race, theodds are based on the value of one credit), when the probability ofwinning is reduced during the race, a payout corresponding to the sameodds can be received using a relative lower bet by changing the lowestbetting unit to 0.8 credits (a conversion ratio) rather than byincreasing the odds. In contrast, when the probability of winning isincreased, the same effect of reducing the odds can be achieved using arelatively higher bet by changing the lowest betting unit to 1.2 credits(a conversion ratio) rather than reducing the odds.

The term “sections” are set by dividing about the first 50% of thecomplete distance of a corresponding race into sections of, for example,50 m or 100 m and referring to them as a first section, a secondsection, etc.

The term “periods” are set by dividing about the first 50% of thecomplete period of a corresponding race into periods ranging five to tenminutes and referring to them as a first section, a second section, etc.

The term “entity” refers to a subject participating in a race, forexample, a car in a car race or a horse in a horse race.

Meanwhile, although the present invention will be described using ahorse race as an example in order to illustrate a race during whichinterim bets can be placed after the start of the race, it will beapparent that the present invention is not limited thereto.

A system for enabling betting during a game according to an embodimentof the present invention will be described in detail below withreference to the accompanying drawings.

The system 100 for enabling betting during a game according to thepresent invention includes a winning percentage calculation unit 120 forcalculating odds and conversion ratios, a capability DB 130 for holdingdata about horses and a variety of types of data required to calculatewinning percentages, a racing unit 140 for holding data about racingresults for respective sections during a race, a data collection unit150 for collecting data during a race, a coin detection unit 160 fordetecting the insertion of a bill or a coin, a betting part 170 formanaging betting, a user module 180, a display device 200, and a controlunit 110.

The data collection unit 150 is a device for collecting data required tocalculate odds during a race, and collects and outputs the runningrecords R_(i) of respective horses for respective sections or periodsafter the start of a race.

Here, “i” refers to an i-th horse, and “n” refers to an n-th section.

The racing unit 140 calculates the average section records R_(mn) ofcorresponding horses while referring to the records R_(i) of respectivehorses for respective sections or respective periods collected by thedata collection unit 150, and outputs the average section records R_(mn)sand the running records R_(i) of respective horses for correspondingsections to the winning percentage calculation unit 120.

The variable “m” refers to average, and the variable “n” refers to ann-th section.

The average section record R_(mn) of each horse is data required tocalculate the odds for each section or period after the start of a racefor the given horse. After a first section has been completed, there isa running record for only a first section R_(i1), so that thecalculation of the average record is meaningless. Accordingly, theaverage record of the corresponding horse in a past race is used as anaverage section record for a first section R_(m1).

After a second section has been completed, the average record up to thesecond section R_(m2) is calculated by taking the average of “a runningrecord for the first section R_(i1)” and “a running record for thesecond section R_(i2).” After a third section has been completed, anaverage record up to the third section R_(m3) is calculated by takingthe average of “a running record for the first section R_(i1),” “arunning record for the second section R_(i2)” and “a running record forthe third section R_(i3).”

The capability DB 130 includes a horse DB 132 for storing informationabout horses and an evaluation information DB 134 for calculatingrelative winning percentages and odds before the start of a race.

The horse DB 132 is configured to hold information about respectivehorses and racing records for past races of the respective horses.

For example, the horse DB 132 may be configured to hold data about thename, age, gender, style, racing results of the most recent five races,weight, highest record, average record, and section-based runningrecords of past races of each horse and output corresponding data inresponse to requests from the output control unit 110, or may beconfigured to include a variety of factors required to calculate thecapabilities of respective horses.

In order to calculate relative winning percentages and odds before thestart of a race, the evaluation information DB 134 is configured toreceive data from the horse DB 132 and output data.

In order to calculate relative winning percentages before the start of arace, the winning percentage calculation unit 120 is configured toreceive the capability data of respective horses from the horse DB 132,calculate the evaluation scores of the respective horses and the totalscore of the evaluation scores of the respective horses and output them.

For example, the winning percentage and odds for a participating horseare generally calculated on the basis of the intrinsic capability whichcan be expressed in terms of a numerical value. The intrinsic capabilityis calculated on the basis of factors, including age, impost, condition,the highest record, an average record and jockey compatibility.

An impost is the weight that must be carried by a horse in a race.Imposts may be classified into a horse age impost depending on the ageof a horse, a handicap impost imposed by a handicapper, and a speciallydetermined impost calculated according to the age, gender, prize money,number of wins of a horse and other conditions determined in a horserace plan table.

Jockey compatibility refers to the level of compatibility between ahorse and a jockey in characteristic and fitness.

Additionally, power, speed, stamina, start, disposition, etc. may beincorporated into capabilities.

On the basis of such capabilities, statistical capabilities arecalculated and scored for factors influencing the winning percentages ofthe entities of a race, that is, horses, jockeys and horse trainers,weights are assigned with a variety of characteristics taken intoaccount, and environmental factors, such as temperature/humidity,weather, the conditions of the entities of a race and assigned gates,which are conditions variable depending on that day, are taken intoaccount, thereby obtaining the evaluation score of each horse and thesum of the evaluations scores of respective horses.

The sum of evaluation scores may refer to the sum of evaluation scoresfreely assigned by a user to respective selected prediction factors.

The winning percentage calculation unit 120 includes a first winningpercentage calculation unit 122 for calculating odds before the start ofa race and a second winning percentage calculation unit 124 forcalculating odds for respective sections or periods after the start ofthe race.

The first winning percentage calculation unit 122 is configured toreceive information required for the calculation of odds before thestart of a race from the evaluation information DB 134 of the capabilityDB 130, predict relative winning percentages, calculate the odds basedon the prediction, and output the calculated odds.

The calculation of odds before the start of a race is performed throughrelative evaluation based on objective data. Since the present inventionrelates to a technology for enabling interim betting after the start ofa race, the present invention does not limit the calculation of oddsbefore the start of a race.

For example, when the evaluation score of an i-th horse and the sum ofthe evaluation scores of respective horses are respectively given as“H_(i)” and “ΣH_(total)” and retrieved from the evaluation informationDB 134, the relative winning percentage X_(i) of the i-th horse may becalculated by the following Equation (1):

X _(i)=(H _(i) /ΣH _(total))*100  (1)

where X_(i) is the relative winning percentage of the i-th horse, H_(i)is the evaluation score of the i-th horse, and ΣH_(total) is the sum ofthe evaluation scores of all horses which participate in a race.

By using the relative winning percentage X_(i) obtained from Equation(1), the odds Y_(i) of the i-th horse may be calculated using thefollowing Equation (2):

Y _(i)=1/(X _(i) /A)  (2)

where Y_(i) is the odds of the i-th horse, X_(i) is the relative winningpercentage of the i-th horse, and “A” is an odds constant set by a userto calculate odds. The odds constant may be adjusted according to theresults of the operation of a race, and is normally set to a valuegreater than 1 and less than 100. That is, the odds constant is adjustedin such a way that the odds constant is decreased when odds areexcessively high and the odds constant is increased when odds areexcessively low. In the present specification, the odds constant is setto “60” and then the following description will be given below.

When odds for respective horses are calculated, corresponding odds data,together with horse numbers, is sent to the control unit 110, and thecontrol unit 110 controls the display device 200 so that the displaydevice 200 displays the odds for respective horses before the start of arace.

In particular, referring to a directed screen before the start of a raceshown in FIG. 3, it can be seen that the odds calculated as describedabove are displayed on the odds display part 124.

In order to enable betting to be repeatedly made after the start of arace up to a specific section or period, the second winning percentagecalculation unit 124 is configured to calculate and then output oddsbased on racing results for respective sections or periods.

Although the sections and periods are not specially limited as describedabove, about the first 50% of the complete distance or period of a raceis divided into sections of 50 m or 100 m and then odds are calculatedfor the sections in order to increase interest. When periods are used,about the first 50% of the expected period of a race is divided intoperiods ranging from five minutes to ten minutes and then odds arecalculated for the periods. Accordingly, bets can be placed forrespective sections or periods during the race.

For this purpose, when odds are calculated during a race, it is possibleto calculate a relative winning percentage while taking intoconsideration results for respective sections or periods after the startof the race.

For example, the racing unit 140 receives average section records R_(mn)and running records R_(i) for respective sections, and calculates thesection evaluation factor R_(in) of an i-th horse using the followingEquation 3:

R _(in) =Ad*(R _(mn) −R _(n−1))

where R_(in) is an evaluation factor for the n-th section or period ofthe i-th horse, Ad is weights for respective sections or periods, R_(mn)is average running records for respective sections after the start of arace, and R_(n−1) is a running record for an (n−1)-th section.

The weight Ad is set to a low value immediately before the start of arace, and to a high value after the start of the race, in conjunctionwith the total distance or period of a race. The relative winningpercentage and odds before the start of a race are applied to a firstsection for the start of the race.

For ease of description, in the present specification, the followingdescription will be given in the situation in which the weight Ad is setto a number less than the number of each section by one in such a waythat the weight Ad is set to “0” for a first section, to “1” for asecond section and to “2” for a third section, and there are 10sections.

R_(mn) is the average of running records for respective sections orperiods after the start of a race. Since there are no records for afirst section, past average records for respective sections are used.

Accordingly, the section evaluation factor R_(in) of the i-th horse isinversely proportional to scores for respective sections.

When the record of the first section is evaluated after the start of therace, the relative winning percentage X_(in) of the i-th horse for then-th section during the race is obtained by multiplying the relativewinning percentage X_(i) of the i-th horse before the start of the raceby the reciprocal of the section evaluation factor R_(in) of the i-thhorse obtained using Equation (3), as shown in the following Equation(4):

X _(in) =X _(i) /R _(in)  (4)

When Equation (1) is substituted into Equation (4),

X_(in)={(H_(i)/ΣH_(total))*100}/R_(in) is obtained.

Referring to Equation (4), as the running records for respectivesections are superior, relative winning percentages X_(in) for thecorresponding sections are higher.

Accordingly, when the relative winning percentages for respectivesections are determined, odds Y_(in) for the i-th horse and for the n-thsection may be calculated using the following Equation (5):

Y _(in)=1/(X _(in) /A)  (5)

That is, referring to Equation (5), in order to determine odds for thei-th section, average records for respective sections up to an (i-1)-thsection and a running record for the (i-1)-th section which is a sectionimmediately before the i-th section are required.

That is, results for sections in which the race has been performed areevaluated, odds for forward sections are displayed, and then betting ismade.

Accordingly, odds for a first section after the start of a race are thesame as odds before the start of the race.

Meanwhile, when odds for a second section are calculated, a runningrecord for the first section is created but it is impossible tocalculate an average record for the first section, so that a pastaverage record is used as the average record for the correspondingsection so as to provide suspense to the race.

Meanwhile, when a second section of the race is completed, runningrecords for the first and second sections are calculated, so that asection average record R_(m) is calculated using the running records forthe first and second sections without considering a past average record.

Accordingly, constants used to calculate relative winning percentagesand odds before the start of a race, as shown in Table 1, and relativewinning percentages and odds before and after the start of the race anddata about the evaluation factors of a horse are determined based on theabove constants, as shown in Table 2.

TABLE 1 Last Before start First Second section of race section section .. . (10) Odds constant (A) 60 60 60 60 60 Weight (Ad) — — 1 2 . . . 9

TABLE 2 Before start First Second Last section of race section section .. . (10) Conversion 1 1 B₂ = (1*Y_(i))/Y₂ . . . B₁₀ = (1*Y_(i))/Y₁₀ratio (B_(n)) Section — — R₂ = {1*(R_(m) − R₁)} . . . R₁₀ = {9*(R_(m) −R₉)} evaluation factor (R_(in)) Section relative — — X₂ = X_(i)/R₂ . . .X₁₀ = X_(i)/R₁₀ winning percentage (X_(in)) Section odds(Y_(in)) — — Y₂= 1/(X₂/60) . . . Y₁₀ = 1/(X₁₀/60) Relative winning X_(i) =(H_(i)/ΣH_(total))*100 the same as percentage on the left (X_(i)) sideOdds (Y_(i)) Y_(i) = 1/(X/60) the same as on the left side (where B_(n)refers to a conversion ratio for an n-th section)

The coin detection unit 160 is configured to detect the start of a raceusing a well-known sensor capable of detecting the insertion of a coinor a medal through a coin slot (not shown) or a well-known billvalidator capable of detecting the insertion of a bill or a substitutefor a bill through a bill slot or a card reader.

The display device 200 is constructed of a well-known device capable ofoutputting race images and characters, such as scores, through a screen,such as a cathode-ray tube monitor, a PDP or an LCD, and is configuredto display information about respective horses, betting screens beforeand after the start of a race, and the status of a race.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, screens displayed by the displaydevice 200 will be described in detail below.

Referring to a directed screen before the start of a race configured todisplay horse information and shown in FIG. 2, information aboutcorresponding racehorses is displayed in conjunction with determinedtracks.

Track numbers ‘a’, the names of corresponding horses b, ages and gendersc, styles d, most recent 5 race records e, imposts f, the highestrecords g, average records h, first section average records i, lastsection records j and harmonies k are displayed. Furthermore, a countdisplay part 250 for providing notification of the impending start of arace by counting down from 10 seconds before the start of the race isdisplayed in the form of a popup window.

Furthermore, before the start of a race, a betting screen in which betscan be placed is displayed. Referring to the directed screen before thestart of a race shown in FIG. 3, a racecourse display part 210 fordisplaying the status of a race is provided in the upper portion of thedisplay device 200, and a win betting display part 220 and a quinellabetting display part 230 for racehorses corresponding to the numbers ofthe racehorses are provided in a vertical direction.

The racecourse display part 210 is configured to display, before thestart of a race, a complete distance of the race and the status ofpreparation of entities at a given line, and, after the start of therace, an enlarged racecourse for respective set sections in order toincrease the suspense of additional betting. Until the additionalbetting is terminated, the status of the race is indicated in detail byenlarging sections of a predetermined distance. After the additionbetting has been terminated, the complete racecourse is displayed.

A quinella betting display part 230 includes lines 230 a to 203 h. It ispreferred that for the convenience of garners, lines 230 a to 203 h aresequentially arranged in such a way that line “230 a” indicates aquinella bet associated with horse No. 1, line “230 b” indicates aquinella bet associated with horse No. 2, and so forth.

Furthermore, a jackpot display part 240 is displayed on the right sideof the display unit.

Referring to the directed screen of FIG. 6 in which the betting screenhas been enlarged, the win betting display part 220 and the quinellabetting display part 230 will now be described in detail. In the case ofwin betting, as shown in the left side of the screen of FIG. 6, a horsenumber display part 222, an odds display part 224, a conversion ratiodisplay part 226 and a betting display part 228 are displayed. In thecase of quinella betting, as shown on the right side of the screen,quinella betting horse numbers are displayed in a horse number displaypart 222 a, and an odds display part 224 a, a conversion ratio displaypart 226 a and a betting display part 228 a are displayed in the sameway as in the case of win betting.

Before the start of a race, the conversion ratio display parts 226 areall set to “1.”

This means that before the start of a race, a payout corresponding tothe odds displayed on the odds display part 224 will be paid inproportion to the number of bets displayed on the betting display part228.

Preferably, the racecourse display part 210 displays, before the startof the race, the status of preparation of respective horses at a givenline, in the early stage of the race, the detailed status of the race byenlarging the part of a screen up to the 100 m position to the completescreen, and, after the 100 m position, a complete race distance.

That is, referring to the enlarged racing status display screen of adirected screen shown in FIG. 7, an enlarged screen from the start lineto the first 100 m is displayed on an upper screen, and the completedistance of the race is displayed after the start of the race and after100 m, as shown in a lower screen.

Furthermore, from a directed screen after the start of a race shown inFIG. 4, it can be seen that each of the conversion ratio of a conversionratio display part 226 for win betting and the conversion ratio of aconversion ratio display part 226 a for quinella betting is greater orless than “1.” In order to enable betting after the start of a race,odds may be varied depending on results for each section or period andthen indicated. However, since the variation of the odds may confuse auser, the same effect is provided by keeping the odds constant andrelatively varying the conversion ratio for the convenience of the user.

That is, the variation of the odds after the start of the race isrepresented using the conversion ratio, so that the difference betweenthe first odds and the current odds can be easily comprehended.

Furthermore, although in the embodiment of the present invention, theodds have been described as being constant and the relative conversionratio has been described as being varied, it will be apparent that theconversion ratio of the conversion ratio display part 226 or 226 a maybe set to “1” and the odds may be varied depending on results for eachsection or period, in which case the conversion ratio display part 226or 226 a is turned off and is not displayed.

The control unit 110 controls the display device 200 so that a necessarydirected screen is displayed on the display device 200 according to thestatus of the race, and, when a predetermined or larger amount of moneyis bet, may run a separate program for providing a bonus score to thejackpot display part 240 of the display device 200.

Furthermore, the control unit 110 may display odds, output from thewinning percentage calculation unit 120 according to the status of therace, on the display device 200 without change, or may display them inthe form of a conversion ratio.

That is, when odds varying with the status of a race are displayed, aconversion ratio may be set to “1” or may not be indicated. In contrast,when odds are constant and a conversion ratio is indicated, odds outputfrom the winning percentage calculation unit 120 are converted into aconversion ratio and the conversion ratio is indicated.

In particular, when a conversion ratio is indicated as “1,” a payoutcorresponding to the odds is paid for a bet of “1” unit. In contrast,when the conversion ratio is varied to “0.6” during a race, a bet of “1”unit is considered to be a bet of “0.6” unit. That is, when a bet of 0.6unit is placed, a payout corresponding to the corresponding odds ispaid.

Accordingly, by reducing the conversion ratio when the odds areincreased and by increasing the conversion ratio when the odds arereduced, the odds are constant and the conversion ratio is varied,thereby achieving the effect of increasing or reducing the odds.

In the present invention, the odds are kept constant before the start ofa race and after the start of a race and the conversion ratio is varieddepending on the status of the race, so that it will be apparent thatthere are many such methods.

For example, when the conversion ratio is “1” (the conversion ratioalways is “1” before the start of a race), the odds are “4.8.” If theodds are increased to 5.4 during the race, the odds are not increased,but the conversion ratio is reduced to about “0.86,” thereby achievingthe effect of increasing the odds.

In this method, keeping a value obtained by multiplying odds by aconversion ratio constant is enough. That is, a conversion ratio B_(i)during a race for an i-th horse is expressed by the following Equation(6):

Odds before race Y _(i)*conversion ratio before race 1=odds during raceY _(in)*conversion ratio during race B _(i)=constant C  (6)

Accordingly, since in the above-described example, odds Y_(i) before arace are “4.8,” a conversion ratio before the race is “1” and odds Yinduring the race for a specific section are “5.4,” a conversion ratioB_(i) during the race is obtained using Equation 8, as follows:

4.8*1=5.4*B

Accordingly, “B” is about “0.86.”

As a result, the control unit 110 performs control so that the followingconversion ratios Bin are calculated based on the data of Table 2 anddisplayed on the display device 200.

TABLE 3 Before start First Second Last section of race section section .. . (10) Conversion 1 1 B₂ = (1*Y_(i))/Y₂ . . . B₁₀ = (1*Y_(i))/Y₁₀ratio(B_(in)) Section — — R₂ = {1*(R_(m) − R₁)} . . . R₁₀ = {9*(R_(m) −R₉)} evaluation factor (R_(in)) Section relative — — X₂ = X_(i)/R₂ . . .X₁₀ = X_(i)/R₁₀ winning percentage (X_(in)) Section odds — — Y₂ =1/(X₂/60) . . . Y₁₀ = 1/(X₁₀/60) (Y_(in)) Relative winning X_(i) =(H_(i)/ΣH_(total))*100 the same as percentage on the left (X_(i)) sideOdds (Y_(i)) Y_(i) = 1/(X/60) the same as on the left side (where B_(in)refers to a conversion ratio for an i-th horse and an n-th section)

Referring to the enlarged diagram of a jackpot display part shown inFIG. 8, a jackpot will now be described.

A jackpot is configured such that when a bet greater than apredetermined amount of money is placed, additional betting isprohibited, a relevant game is displayed as a bonus game, and a payoutcorresponding to odds is paid when the order of horse numbers is hit.

For this purpose, the jackpot display part 240 includes a jackpot typedisplay part 242 and a horse number display part 244 for displayingwinner candidates in order of likelihood.

The jackpot type display part 242 displays the types of the jackpotwhich are bronze B, silver S and gold G, and has corresponding oddsdisplay parts 242 a.

Each of the odds display parts 242 a displays odds that will be used topay a payout when horses have arrived in the order of displayed horsenumbers at the end of a race and the order of horse numbers is hit.

For example, bronze may be set as a bonus race that is provided in thecase where more than 10 bets have been placed, silver may be set as abonus race that is provided in the case where more than 20 bets havebeen placed, and gold may be set as a bonus race that is provided in thecase where more than 30 bets have been placed. When a correspondingbonus race is won, a bonus corresponding to odds displayed on the oddsdisplay part 242 a is paid.

In particular, in the case of a bronze race, the four horse numbers ofwinner candidates are arranged in order. It will be apparent that winnercandidates are strong winner candidates prominent in a correspondingrace. In the case of a silver race, five horse numbers are displayed. Inthe case of a gold race, six horse numbers are displayed. Furthermore,when a bonus race corresponding to a gold race is assigned, silver andbronze races may be also participated in as an additional bonus. When abonus race corresponding to a silver race is assigned, a bronze race maybe also participated in as additional bonuses.

When horses have arrived in the order of the horse numbers displayed inconjunction with a jackpot game at the end of a race, correspondinghorse numbers may be caused to blink when displayed to a gamer.

Meanwhile, it is preferred that a sequential arrangement table with ahigher probability of winning be displayed to a gamer with a higheraccumulated betting amount, so that the gamer who participates in a racefor a longer period can receive a profitable bonus score.

A betting part 170 is configured to allow betting to be made accordingto a determined betting rate. The betting part 170 is configured notonly to enable betting to be made based on displayed odds before thestart of a race but also to enable betting to be made for respectivesections or periods after the start of a race.

For this purpose, the betting part 170 displays a minimum credit for thereception of determined odds, and indicates that a payout correspondingto odds can be received in return for one bet. However, in theembodiment of the present invention, the conversion ratio is used, sothat the betting unit displayed in the betting part 170 is the unit ofthe conversion ratio output from the control unit 110.

The user module 180 is composed of a plurality of buttons (a servicecall button, a coin discharge button, a betting button, a user settingbutton, etc.), and may include a touch screen through which a gamer caninput data through touching.

A method of making betting after the start of a race according to thepresent invention will be described below with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

In order to avoid redundant descriptions, the variables and equationsused in the description of the above system will also be used below.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of making bets after thestart of a race according to the present invention. When the start of arace is detected through the insertion of one or more coins via the coindetection unit 160, the control unit 110 receives data about thecapabilities of respective horses from the horse DB 132, calculates theevaluation score of each horse H_(i) and the sum of the evaluationscores of respective horses ΣH_(total), outputs them to the firstwinning percentage calculation unit 122, receives an odds constant A fordetermining odds, and sets the total number of sections available forbetting and weight Ad at step S310.

The total number of sections is determined by dividing about the first50% of the complete distance or period of a race into sections of 50 mor 100 m. Alternatively, the total number of sections may be determinedby dividing about the first 50% of the complete period of a race intoperiods ranging from five minutes to ten minutes.

At step S312, the first winning percentage calculation unit 122 receivesthe odds constant A, the evaluation scores H_(i) of respective horsesand the total score ΣH_(total) of the evaluation scores of therespective horses, calculates relative winning percentages X_(i) beforethe start of a race, determines the odds Y_(i), and displays thecorresponding data on the display device 200.

In this case, the first winning percentage calculation unit 122calculates the relative winning percentages X_(i) of the respectivehorses using the evaluation scores H_(i) of the respective horses andthe total score ΣH_(total) of the evaluation scores of the respectivehorses through Equation (1), and then calculates the odds Y_(i) of therespective horses using the odds constant A and the relative winningpercentages X_(i) through Equation (2).

In this case, the display device 200 displays a screen showinginformation about the respective horses before the start of the race,such as that shown in FIG. 2, and displays a directed screen before thestart of a race showing odds and conversion ratios, such as those shownin FIG. 3, after a predetermined period of time.

Furthermore, the count display part 250 may provide notification of animpending race by counting down from about 10 seconds before the startof the race.

At step S314, the start of the race is determined. When the race starts,the section setting variable n is set to 1 at step S316. A directedscreen corresponding to an n section is displayed on the display device200 at step S318.

For an “n=1 section,” that is, a first section after the start of arace, a directed screen identical to a directed screen before the startof the race is output. Here, odds and a conversion ratio are indicatedthe same as in the screen before the start of the race (see FIG. 3), andthe status of the race is additionally indicated in the racecoursedisplay part 210.

Whether a race has completed the “n=1” section is determined at stepS320. If the section of the race is determined to have been completed,the relative winning percentages X_(in) and odds Y_(in) for the “n+1”section are calculated and then a directed screen for the “n+1” sectioninto which odds are incorporated is displayed on the display device 200at step S322.

In particular, when a race for an n-th section has been completed, thecontrol unit 110 performs control so that the second winning percentagecalculation unit 124 calculates odds to be used for an “n+1”-th section.

The data collection unit 150 collects running records R_(i) forrespective sections or periods and respective horses, and outputs themto the racing unit 140. The racing unit 140 calculates the averagesection records R_(mn) of corresponding horses while referring to therunning records R_(i) for respective sections or periods and respectivehorses collected by the data collection unit 150, and outputs them tothe second winning percentage calculation unit 124. The second winningpercentage calculation unit 124 receives the average section recordsR_(mn) and the running records R_(i) for respective sections, calculatesrelative winning percentages X_(in) using Equation 4, and calculatesodds Y_(in) using Equation 5.

Thereafter, whether a race for set sections has been completed isdetermined at step S324. If the race has been completed, odds for afinal section are maintained and a directed screen displaying the statusof the progress of the race is displayed on the display device 200 atstep S330. This is continued until the race is terminated at step S332.

If the race for sections set at step S310 is determined not to beterminated at step S324, the section variable n is increased by “1” atstep S312 and a corresponding directed screen is displayed.

The step of increasing the section variable n by “1” is performed inorder to set odds for a subsequent section.

The following description will be given using a specific example.

When the odds constant A and the weight Ad are set as shown in Table 1,the horse is set to horse No. 1, the evaluation score H₁ for horse No. 1based on unique capability is set to “84,” the total of evaluationscores for all horses ΣH_(total) is set to “600” and the past averagerecord R_(m) is set to 5.8 sec, numerical values set before the start ofa race are as shown in the following Table 4:

TABLE 4 Last Before start First Second section of race section section .. . (10) Odds constant A 60 60 60 60 60 Weight Ad — — 1 2 . . . 9Evaluation score 84 for horse No. 1 H1 Total of evaluation 600  scoresΣHtotal Past average 5.8 sec record Rm

1) Before the Start of a Race

The first winning percentage calculation unit 122 calculates a relativewinning percentage X₁ for horse No. 1 using Equation (1), as follows:

The relative winning percentage of horse No. 1 X₁=(H₁/ΣH_(total))*100 isX₁=(84/600)*100=14%, and the odds of horse No. 1 Y₁ areY₁=1/(X₁/A)=1/(14/60)÷4.28 using Equation 2.

Accordingly, since odds before the start of the race are 4.28 times forhorse No. 1, 4.28 times is displayed in the odds display part 224 of thedirected screen before the start of a race and “1” is displayed in theconversion ratio display part 226.

The conversion ratios before the start of the race are all set to “1.”

Through this directed screen, the gamer sets the amount of money to bebet through the betting part 170 and waits for the race.

2) After the Start of the Race

Odds after the start of the race and up to the first section are set tothe odds before the start of the race, and the second winning percentagecalculation unit 124 calculates odds and a conversion ratio for thesecond section on the basis of the data calculated by the racing unit140 after the race of the first section has been terminated.

Here, when a section average record for a previous race R_(m) is 5.8 secan a first section running record R₁ is 4.9 sec immediately after a racefor the first section has been terminated, a section evaluation factorR₁₁ for horse No. 1 is calculated below.

The evaluation factor R₁₂ for horse No. 1 and the second section iscalculated using Equation 3, as follows:

R ₁₂ =Ad*(R _(m) −R _(n−1)) is R ₁₂=1*(5.8−4.9)=0.9.

Accordingly, since a relative winning percentage X₁₂ for horse No. 1 andthe second section is calculated as X₁₂=X₁/R₁₂=14/0.9÷15.56 usingEquation 4,

odds Y₁₂ are calculated as Y₁₂=1/(X₁₂/A)=1/(15.56/60)÷3.86 times usingEquation 5.

Accordingly, the conversion ratio B12 is calculated using Equation 6, asfollows:

$\begin{matrix}{B_{12} = {{odds}{\mspace{11mu} \;}{be}\; {fore}\mspace{14mu} {race}\mspace{14mu} Y_{i}*{1/Y_{12}}}} \\{= {4.28*{1/3.86}}} \\{\approx 1.11}\end{matrix}$

Since this conversion ratio B₁₂ means odds for horse No. 1 from thetermination of a race for the first section to the termination of a racefor the second section, the conversion ratio B₁₂ is displayed on thedirected screen until the race for the second section is terminated,thereby promoting betting.

In the same manner, after the race for the second section has beenterminated, odds for a third section are calculated. For example, if arunning record for horse No. 1 and the second section is 4.5 sec,

a section average record R_(m) is calculated first to an evaluationfactor R₁₃ for horse No. 1 and the third section.

R _(m)=(4.9+4.5)/2=4.7 sec.

Here, when the race for the second section is terminated, runningrecords for the first and second sections are calculated, so that asection average record R_(m) is calculated using the running records forthe first and second sections without considering the past averagespeed.

$\begin{matrix}{R_{13} = {{Ad}*\left( {R_{m} - R_{2}} \right)}} \\{= {2*\left( {4.7 - 4.5} \right)}} \\{= {0.4.}}\end{matrix}$

Accordingly, a relative winning percentage for the third section X₁₃ isX₁₃=X₁/R₁₃=14/0.4÷35.00, and odds Y₁₃ areY₁₃=1/(X₁₃/A)=1/(35.00/60)=1.71 times, so that a conversion ratio B₁₃ iscalculated using Equation (6), as follows:

$\begin{matrix}{B_{13} = {\left( {{odds}{\mspace{11mu} \;}{be}\; {fore}\mspace{14mu} {race}\mspace{14mu} Y_{i}*1} \right)/Y_{13}}} \\{= {4.28*{1/1.71}}} \\{\approx {2.50.}}\end{matrix}$

When running records for a current section and respective horses areobtained as described above, odds for each section and respective horsesare determined, and then conversion ratios are calculated and displayed.

The odds for horse No. 1 before the start of the race, the odds for thefirst section, the odds for the second section, and the odds for thethird section are shown in the following Table 5:

TABLE 5 Before start First Second Third of race section section sectionOdds constant A 60 60 60 60 Weight Ad — — 1 2 Section average record 5.8sec 5.8 sec 4.7 Section running record — 4.9 sec 4.5 Section evaluation— — 0.9 0.8 factor R_(1n) Section relative winning — — 15.56 17.50percentage X_(1n) Section odds Y_(1n) — — 3.86 1.71 Odds to be displayed4.28 4.28 4.28 4.28 on screen Conversion ratio B_(n) 1 1 1.11 2.50 Totalof evaluation 600 scores for all horses ΣH_(total) Total of evaluationscores 84 for horse No. 1 H₁ Relative winding percentage 14% 14% 14% 14%for horse No. 1 X₁ Odds for horse No. 1 Y₁ 4.28 4.28

Referring to the above table, it can be seen that data for an (n−1)-thsection is used to calculate odds and a conversion ratio for an n-thsection.

Although the method of calculating odds for records for respectivesections and varying conversion ratios has been described above, anembodiment of displaying odds varying with the section without usingconversion ratios is very apparent, so that a description thereof isomitted here.

Furthermore, although in the present specification, the method of makingbetting during a race has been described as being configured to placebets while varying odds and conversion ratios based on running recordsfor respective sections or periods, it is apparent that odds andconversion ratios for the remaining distance or period can be indicatedand used for respective sections or periods.

For example, relative winning percentages and odds before the start of arace are calculated in the same manner as in the above-describedembodiment, and then betting before the start of the race is allowed.

When the race starts, average section records R_(mn) for respectivesections are calculated in the same manner and the remaining distance isset to “X.” A predicted record V_(i) for each horse and the remainingdistance and the sum of respective predicted records ΣV_(i) arecalculated, and a section evaluation factor R′_(in) is calculated usingthe following Equation (7):

R′ _(in) =Ad′*V _(i) /ΣV _(i)  (7)

where R′_(in) is an evaluation factor for an i-th horse and an n-thsection or period, and Ad′ is a weight for each section or period.

The weight Ad′ is set to a low value immediately before the start of arace, and to a high value after the start of the race, in conjunctionwith the total distance or period of a race.

Furthermore, the weight Ad′ which is less than the number of acorresponding section by “1” is assigned in such a way that “0” isassigned to a first section, “1” is assigned to a second section and “2”is assigned to a third section.

Accordingly, the section evaluation factor for the i-th horse R′_(in) isin inverse proportion to a score for each section.

When a record for a first section is obtained after the start of therace, a relative winning percentage for the i-th horse and the n-thsection X′_(in) is obtained by multiplying the relative winningpercentage of the i-th horse before the start of the race X′_(i) by thereciprocal of the section evaluation factor of the i-th horse R′_(in)expressed by Equation (7), as shown in Equation (8):

X′ _(in) =X′ _(i) /R′ _(in)  (8)

where X′_(i) is the relative winning percentage of the i-th horse beforethe start of the race.

Accordingly, when a relative winning percentage for each section isdetermined, odds for the i-th horse and the n-th section Y′_(in) can becalculated using the following Equation (9);

Y′ _(in)=1/(X′ _(in) /A)  (9)

Accordingly, a conversion ratio for the i-th horse and the n-th sectionB′_(in) can also be calculated using the following Equation (10):

B′ _(in)={odds before race Y _(i)*conversion ratio before race 1}/oddsduring race Y′ _(in)=constant C  (10)

This method is configured to make prediction for the remainingsection(s) based on results for one or more previous sections, indicateodds and conversion ratios for the remaining section(s) and allowbetting to be made.

By using the above-described method, odds before the start of a race foreach horse and odds for each section and each horse can be determined,with the result that a gamer can place a bet during a race whilereferring to odds varying per section.

Although in the present specification, a win betting-type horse race hasbeen chiefly described above, it will be apparent that odds orconversion ratios can be indicated for quinella betting or show bettingin the same manner.

For example, when horse Nos. 1 and 2 are selected using quinella bettingas shown in the right diagram of FIG. 6, relative winning percentagesfor horses Nos. 1 and 2 are respectively calculated as described above,a relative winning percentage for the quinella betting and horses Nos. 1and 2 is obtained by multiplying the calculated relative winningpercentages, and then odds and conversion ratios are calculated andindicated in the same manner.

Accordingly, according to the present invention, betting can be madeboth before and after the start of a race, so that garners can enjoy amore suspenseful race and bookmakers can increase profits thanks to alarger number of bets.

Since garners can make bets based on conversion ratios for one or morespecific sections or periods, they can easily learn the flow of therace.

Furthermore, since garners can view an expanded race course for aspecific distance or period after the start of the race, they can bemore interested in the race and enjoy it more.

Moreover, since a jackpot game is provided as a bonus game, a gamer canenjoy a variety of games based on a single game.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have beendisclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art willappreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions arepossible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the inventionas disclosed in the accompanying claims.

1. A method of enabling betting during a race, comprising the steps of:(a) before start of a race, allowing bets to be made based on indicatedodds; and (b) after start of the race, varying the odds depending onracing results for one or more predetermined sections and then allowingbets to be made based on the varied odds.
 2. A method of enablingbetting during a race, comprising the steps of: (a) before start of arace, allowing bets to be made based on set odds; and (b) after start ofthe race, varying a conversion ratio depending on racing results for oneor more predetermined sections while keeping the set odds of step (a)constant and then allowing bets to be made based on the variedconversion ratio.
 3. The method as set forth in claim 2, wherein beforestart of the race, the conversion ratio is set to “1”.
 4. The method asset forth in claim 2, wherein the conversion ratio is calculated usingthe following equation:Conversion ratio during race B _(in)=odds before start of race Y_(i)/odds during race Y _(in) where B_(in) is a conversion ratio for ani-th entity and an n-th section, Y_(i) is odds before start of the racefor the i-th entity, and Y_(in) is odds for the i-th entity and the n-thsection.
 5. A method of enabling betting during a race, comprising thesteps of: (a) before start of a race, allowing bets to be made based onset odds; and (b) after start of the race, varying the odds depending onwinning possibility for a remaining distance and then allowing bets tobe made based on the varied odds.
 6. A method of enabling betting duringa race, comprising the steps of: (a) before start of a race, allowingbets to be made based on set odds; and (b) after start of the race,varying a conversion ratio depending on winning possibility for aremaining distance while keeping the set odds of step (a) constant andthen allowing bets to be made based on the varied conversion ratio. 7.The method as set forth in claim 6, wherein before the start of therace, the conversion ratio is set to “1.”
 8. The method as set forth inclaim 5, wherein the step (b) comprises the steps of: (b-1) calculatinga running record R_(i) for each entity and each section; (b-2)calculating an average section record R_(mn) for each entity and eachsection; (b-3) calculating predicted records for each entity and aremaining distance and a sum of the predicted records using the averagesection record R_(mn) and the running record for each section R_(i) andcalculating a section evaluation factor R′_(in) using them; (b-4)calculating a remaining section relative winning percentage for eachentity X′_(in) using the section evaluation factor for each entityR′_(in); and (b-5) calculating a remaining section odds for each entityY′_(in) using the remaining section relative winning percentage X′_(in).9. The method as set forth in claim 6, wherein the step (b) comprisesthe steps of: (b-1) calculating a running record R_(i) for each entityand each section; (b-2) calculating an average section record R_(mn) foreach entity and each section; (b-3) calculating predicted records foreach entity and a remaining distance and a sum of the predicted recordsusing the average section record R_(mn) and the running record for eachsection R_(i) and calculating a section evaluation factor R′_(in) usingthem; (b-4) calculating a remaining section relative winning percentagefor each entity X′_(in) using the section evaluation factor for eachentity R′_(in); (b-5) calculating a remaining section odds for eachentity Y′_(in) using the remaining section relative winning percentageX′_(in); and (b-6) calculating a remaining section conversion ratiousing the odds Y′_(in).
 10. The method as set forth in claim 9, whereinthe remaining section conversion ratio is calculated using the followingequation:Remaining section conversion ratio during race B′ _(in)=odds beforestart of race Y _(i)/remaining section odds during race Y′ _(in) whereB′_(in) is a remaining section conversion ratio for an i-th entity andan n-th section, Y_(i) is odds before start of the race for the i-thentity, and Y′_(in) is remaining section odds for the i-th entity andthe n-th section.
 11. A system for enabling betting during a race,comprising: a first winning percentage calculation unit for, beforestart of a race, calculating a relative winning percentage X_(i) andodds Y_(i) for each entity using an evaluation score for each entityparticipating in the race and a sum of evaluation scores for respectiveentities and outputting them; a second winning percentage calculationunit for calculating a section evaluation factor for each section R_(in)using a running record for each entity and each section R_(i) and anaverage section record for each section R_(mn), and calculating andoutputting a section relative winning percentage for each entity X_(in)and odds for each entity Y_(in); a display device comprising informationabout respective entities, a betting screen before start of the race, abetting screen for each section after start of the race, and aracecourse display part for status of the race; and a control unit forperforming control so that before start of the race, the odds outputfrom the first winning percentage calculation unit are displayed on thedisplay device and, after start of the race, the odds output from thesecond winning percentage calculation unit are displayed on the bettingscreen for each section of the display device.
 12. The system as setforth in claim 11, wherein the control unit performs control so that aconversion ratio is indicated as “1” on the betting screen before startof the race and the odds are regularly indicated and the conversionratio is varied and then indicated on the betting screen for eachsection after start of the race.
 13. The system as set forth in claim12, wherein the conversion ratio is calculated using the followingequation:Conversion ratio during race B _(in)=odds before start of race Y_(i)/odds during race Y _(in) where B_(in) is a conversion ratio for ani-th entity and an n-th section, Y_(i) is odds before start of the racefor the i-th entity, and Y_(in) is odds for the i-th entity and the n-thsection.
 14. The system as set forth in claim 13, wherein the racecoursedisplay part of the display device is configured to display, beforestart of the race, an entire distance of the race and status ofpreparation of respective entities at a start line, after start of therace and before termination of additional betting, an enlarged sectionfor each predetermined distance and detailed status of the race, and,after termination of additional betting, an entire run distance.
 15. Thesystem as set forth in claim 14, wherein the display device comprises aracecourse display part provided in an upper portion of the displayunit, configured in a lateral bar form, and configured to display thestatus of the race, a win betting display part and a quinella bettingdisplay part provided on one side of a portion below the upper portion,provided for respective entities participating in the race, anddisplayed in a vertical direction, and a jackpot display part providedon a remaining side of the portion below the upper portion.
 16. Thesystem as set forth in claim 15, wherein the jackpot display part isconfigured such that when a bet of a predetermined or larger amount isplaced, additional betting is terminated, a bonus game is indicated, andthen a payout corresponding to odds is paid when the order of horsenumbers is hit.
 17. A system for enabling betting during a race,comprising: a first winning percentage calculation unit for, beforestart of a race, calculating a relative winning percentage X_(i) andodds Y_(i) for each entity using an evaluation score for each entityparticipating in the race and a sum of evaluation scores for respectiveentities and outputting them; a second winning percentage calculationunit for calculating a remaining section evaluation factor for eachsection R_(in) using a running record for each entity and each sectionR_(i) and an average section record for each section R_(mn), andcalculating and outputting a remaining section relative winningpercentage for each entity X_(in) and remaining section odds for eachentity Y_(in); a display device comprising information about respectiveentities, a betting screen before start of the race, a betting screenfor each section after start of the race, and a racecourse display partfor status of the race; and a control unit for performing control sothat before start of the race, the odds output from the first winningpercentage calculation unit are displayed on the display device and,after start of the race, the remaining section odds output from thesecond winning percentage calculation unit are displayed on the bettingscreen for each remaining section of the display device.
 18. The systemas set forth in claim 17, wherein the control unit performs control sothat a conversion ratio is indicated as “1” on the betting screen beforestart of the race and the odds are regularly indicated and theconversion ratio is varied and then indicated on the betting screen foreach remaining section after start of the race.
 19. A storage mediumstoring computer program sources for executing a method of enablingbetting during a race, wherein the method comprises the steps of: (a)before start of a race, allowing bets to be made based on set odds; and(b) after start of the race, varying a conversion ratio depending onwinning possibility for a remaining distance while keeping the set oddsof step (a) constant and then allowing bets to be made based on thevaried conversion ratio.
 20. The storage medium as set forth in claim19, wherein the step (b) comprises the steps of: (b-1) calculating arunning record R_(i) for each entity and each section; (b-2) calculatingan average section record R_(mn) for each entity and each section; (b-3)calculating predicted records for each entity and a remaining distanceand a sum of the predicted records using the average section recordR_(mn) and the running record for each section R_(i) and calculating asection evaluation factor R′_(in) using them; (b-4) calculating aremaining section relative winning percentage for each entity X′_(in)using the section evaluation factor for each entity R′_(in); (b-5)calculating a remaining section odds for each entity Y′_(in) using theremaining section relative winning percentage X′_(in); and (b-6)calculating a remaining section conversion ratio using the odds Y′_(in).